MPG in my New (to me) HHR
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 02-14-2012
Posts: 11
From: Charlotte
MPG in my New (to me) HHR
Good morning everyone!
Just thought I'd share my first couple of fill up experiences since owning my 2009 HHR LT. I bought it Feb 24th and have filled it up twice. My first tank had 374 miles on it with an average of 27.8mpg's (DIC ssaid 28.1). The DIC said I still had another 80-ish miles to go before needing to fill up. I was quite happy with this as my last car (2005 Subaru Outback) would get (at best) 20/21 on average.
For my second tank, I decided to start experimenting. So, no matter where I drove, I didn't exceed 60mph. Most of the interstates in Charlotte are 65mph, but people drive like the limit is 75. Just filled up last night and I waited until the "Low Fuel" indicator came on (roughly 50 miles remaining). I had 444.2 miles on that tank. Hand calculated average is 31.6mgs (DIC = 32.0). I had increased by 3.8mpg's. I was quite happy.
There are no mod's done. The only thing I have done (which was done after bringing the HHR home) was pump the tires up to 40psi.
As most know, driving over 60mph just bleeds money back to the pump but it's amazing to see when you actually put number to it! My mpg's while driving 60mph (on level ground, minimal wind, blah, blah, blah) was 35-38mpg's. I'd see the occasional 40-41mpg but, that's a bit hard to believe just yet. Too many variables to handle to believe that.
Anyhow just wanted share and hope it helps someone else!
Just thought I'd share my first couple of fill up experiences since owning my 2009 HHR LT. I bought it Feb 24th and have filled it up twice. My first tank had 374 miles on it with an average of 27.8mpg's (DIC ssaid 28.1). The DIC said I still had another 80-ish miles to go before needing to fill up. I was quite happy with this as my last car (2005 Subaru Outback) would get (at best) 20/21 on average.
For my second tank, I decided to start experimenting. So, no matter where I drove, I didn't exceed 60mph. Most of the interstates in Charlotte are 65mph, but people drive like the limit is 75. Just filled up last night and I waited until the "Low Fuel" indicator came on (roughly 50 miles remaining). I had 444.2 miles on that tank. Hand calculated average is 31.6mgs (DIC = 32.0). I had increased by 3.8mpg's. I was quite happy.
There are no mod's done. The only thing I have done (which was done after bringing the HHR home) was pump the tires up to 40psi.
As most know, driving over 60mph just bleeds money back to the pump but it's amazing to see when you actually put number to it! My mpg's while driving 60mph (on level ground, minimal wind, blah, blah, blah) was 35-38mpg's. I'd see the occasional 40-41mpg but, that's a bit hard to believe just yet. Too many variables to handle to believe that.
Anyhow just wanted share and hope it helps someone else!
Senior Member
Joined: 09-11-2007
Posts: 1,379
From: Palm Bay, Florida
I've had my 06 HHR since new and have a 93,000 + average mpg of 30.5 mpg. I keep my speed on the interstates to 70 or so as a max. I have gotten as much as 38 mpg over some "long distances" on 55 mph highways. The 06 HHR only had average mpg on th DIC.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Stick74. Nice to hear you've found a way to get good mpg's.
Alas,I'm not a fan of overinflating tires. Increased tire wear and decreased handling and braking would be my concerns. Next time your on the highway for an extended drive,check your tire pressures with the DIC. They will increase with the road heat. Mine increase anywhere in the 2-5 psi range. If yours start at 40 psi, what are they after they heat up? Just my 2 cents.
Alas,I'm not a fan of overinflating tires. Increased tire wear and decreased handling and braking would be my concerns. Next time your on the highway for an extended drive,check your tire pressures with the DIC. They will increase with the road heat. Mine increase anywhere in the 2-5 psi range. If yours start at 40 psi, what are they after they heat up? Just my 2 cents.
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Yeah, I'm with George here, watch over-inflating the tires. This time of year around Charlotte you can get away with it, come summer with 90-100° ambient air temperatures, and 150° pavement temperatures....its a bad idea.
Try dropping them down to the factory recommended pressures and monitoring your mileage, pretty sure you won't see that much of a variation. Think instead about getting a set of low rolling resistance "Eco" type tires, like Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max, or one of the Yokohama tires with "Orange Oil" technology.
Try dropping them down to the factory recommended pressures and monitoring your mileage, pretty sure you won't see that much of a variation. Think instead about getting a set of low rolling resistance "Eco" type tires, like Goodyear's Assurance Fuel Max, or one of the Yokohama tires with "Orange Oil" technology.
